Helicopter Exercise at Angostura Lake

South Dakota Department of Agriculture

News Release

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2016

Media Contact: Jeni Lawver, 605.381.7232

Helicopter Exercise at Angostura Lake

RAPID CITY, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Wildland Fire Division will be administering an annual fire aviation certification to the South Dakota National Guard Aviation Unit at Angostura Lake on Friday, May 20.

This yearly certification is required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Interior. The certification allows for South Dakota National Guard Black Hawk helicopters to respond to wildland fires.

Crews will be tested on fire aviation procedures including dipping buckets attached to helicopters out of a water source safely and accuracy when dropping water on a target. Flight operations will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. Mountain Time.

Recreational users are urged to use caution on the west end of Angostura Lake. Those who use the Hot Springs Airport are advised to be alert for helicopters utilizing the airport facilities as a helibase.

South Dakota Wildland Fire can be found on Twitter @SDWildlandFire and on Facebook by searching SD Wildland Fire.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.